Fast food deals for 2012 Games ‘will fuel obesity’

Doctors warned that the healthy message of the London Games risked being severely compromised by sponsorship deals with Cadbury, McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

The issue was being debated by the British Medical Association. Dr Keith Reid, deputy chairman of its public health medicine committee, called for food sold at the 2012 Olympics to carry labels so that spectators were made aware of its unhealthy content including fat, sugar and salt levels.

In an interview with the Standard, the GP said: "My concern is that the Olympic Games, which the UK Olympic Committee has been keen to see as a platform for physical exercise and healthy living, are also being used as a platform for obesogenic foods.

"The association of Coca-Cola and McDonald's and the Olympics severely compromises the ability to use the Games to promote good health."

Dr Reid also said that healthy alternatives must be on sale at the Games so that people are not limited to burgers and fizzy drinks.

He added: "If someone is purchasing a soda they should be made aware of the calorie and sugar content. There should be labelling at point of sale which is prominently displayed and also advertising to highlight the harm to health of the products."

Concerns over the food policy for the Games came as ministers sought to improve the nation's health by getting two million more Britons adopting better lifestyles before 2012. Health campaigners claim that organiser Locog's fast food sponsorship deals undermine this effort.

Locog published its "food strategy" last year for what is the biggest peace-time catering operation in the world.

It revealed that 20 per cent of the 14 million meals served at the Olympics would come from McDonald's.

The chain's sponsorship deal prevents any other branded foods being sold at the 40 Games venues and McDonald's outlets will be built in the athletes' village, in the Olympic Park and media centre.

Locog has pledged to offer more choice of food than at any other major sporting event in the country and stressed it would be produced in accordance with a code on sustainable sourcing. However, its pledges may be put to the test on the evidence of recent Olympics when organisers have resorted to little or no fresh produce available at venues in a bid to cut costs.

Coca-Cola is one of the International Olympic Committee's nine major partners and has exclusive marketing and advertising rights until 2020.

According to the Food Commission, a 330ml bottle of Coke contains 35g of sugar, more than half the recommended daily sugar intake for a 10-year-old child. The company has sought to counter criticisms by promoting its diet brand and launching the sugar-free Coke Zero.

McDonald's has also launched healthy options such as salads and fruit juices in response to claims that many of its products are high in fat, sugar and salt. The deal with Cadbury was announced in 2008 and it gives the now US-owned company the right to sell confectionery and ice cream at the Olympic village.

A Locog spokesman said: "We published our Food Vision late last year and within this committed to ensuring we clearly communicate to the public about the food on offer through staff, posters, menu boards and on pack' information. The Food Vision outlines our commitment to providing a wide range of food and drink.